Regional Diplomacy Lead

About Tara Climate Foundation

Tara Climate Foundation is an Asia-based philanthropic organisation committed to

building a more sustainable and prosperous future for the region. At the heart of our

mission lies Asia’s just energy transition – recognising that with half the world’s

population and the fastest-growing energy demand, the region’s progress will shape the

world’s collective future.

Established in 2021 and headquartered in Singapore, Tara Climate Foundation works with

over 355 partners across 12 Asian geographies, including think tanks, research institutes,

advisory groups, and associations. Tara provides grants, convenes stakeholders, and

facilitates knowledge-sharing to accelerate clean energy development, drive a just

transition, and enable clean industrialisation. Underpinning these efforts is a strong

commitment to unlocking sustainable finance, supporting climate goals, and aligning

business action with a people-centred energy transition. Our team of over 50 experts is

spread across the Asia-Pacific region, working to accelerate climate action in this

decisive decade.

For more on Tara Climate Foundation, visit https://taraclimate.org/.

About the Role

Tara’s Regional Diplomacy Lead reports to the Regional Diplomacy Director and works

closely with the country leads and the regional team of Tara to lead the design and

delivery of specific initiatives under Tara’s diplomacy program.

The role demands a seasoned current or former diplomat/civil servant from Asia with

an excellent understanding of - and practice in - climate, energy and/or trade diplomacy,

and a strong network with key diplomatic players across Asia.

The Regional Diplomacy Lead will develop and deliver a multi-faceted strategy to

mobilise in diplomacy spaces (bilateral, regional, multilateral) with the goal to accelerate

climate action and just energy transition in Asia.

Strategy

• Proactively monitor and interpret developments in climate/energy/trade diplomacy with direct or indirect impact on climate action or just energy transition in Asia; and develop strategic briefings and recommendations to ensure Tara’s regional and country-level diplomacy strategies remain relevant and effective.
• Identify catalytic interventions and partnership models (e.g. coalitions, platforms, dialogues, agreements) to leverage diplomatic platforms for climate action and just energy transition in Asia.
• Contribute insights and strategic analysis from Asia to an active international network of partners and philanthropic funders active on climate/energy/trade diplomacy.

Partnerships

• Build and nurture high trust and productive relationships with key senior stakeholders active in the climate, energy and/or trade diplomacy forums; including diplomats and senior Government officials from Asian Governments, intergovernmental organisations, civil society organizations, foundations, businesses and more,
• Coordinate efforts to establish and grow a strong partnership ecosystem across Asia to leverage climate/energy/trade diplomatic opportunities and mitigate diplomatic threats to climate action.

Grants and program management

• Manage a regional grantmaking budget and work with grantees to develop robust proposals and monitor deliverables.
• Provide guidance to grantees, partners and prospective partners in the field to ensure activities achieve their intended objectives and results.
• Advise programme directors and senior management team on any potential risks and recommend mitigation measures proactively.
• Support annual planning, workplan development, knowledge capture and dissemination, and funding proposals for funders as and when required.

Miscellaneous

• Promote a culture of excellence, service orientation, high performance, and continuous improvement
• Demonstrate Tara Values in every action
• Actively participate in Program Team activities
• Abide by Tara’s policies, procedures and practices

As and when required, other responsibilities and projects will be allocated by line management in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Excited by the prospect of working for a dynamic and fast-growing Asia-based

organisation with a mission to build a more prosperous, thriving and sustainable future

for Asia, the ideal candidate will have:

• At least 10 years of experience in leading or directly contributing to policy formulation, diplomatic engagement and/or strategic advisory on climate, energy or trade diplomacy in Asia, ideally for an Asian governmental or an Asia-focused intergovernmental organisation.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering multi-faceted strategies, with strong ability to see the bigger picture, translate strategy into implementation, and adapt priorities to an evolving landscape.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in understanding and managing the barriers and enablers to successful climate, energy and/or trade diplomacy in the Asian context.
• Experience working with philanthropic funders, bilateral or multilateral donors and an understanding of how to build and sustain a successful partner network a plus
• Demonstrated understanding of the role that civil society organizations play, especially in Asia.